In Vancouver, says Jared Johnson, he and others in his traveling international cohort in the Americas Track program were treated to what he calls “the world’s most beautiful backdrop” as they began working in cross-cultural C-teams. In Brazil, he says, “we were immersed in a world unlike anywhere else” — and into a cultural perspective “that challenges your understanding.” In Mexico, he says, “just viewing how a city so large operates is worth the trip.”

And for the engineer whose job involves supporting revenue programs in a global enterprise capability for FedEx, it all came together during the final residency immersion in Nashville. “It was intense,” he says. “The work is very hard, and the nights are long. But what comes out of it is how resilient and poised we are for our next work challenges. It was the perfect close to an amazing journey.”

When he chose the Americas Track for his Executive MBA, Jared had two thoughts in mind: gain new understanding of global business that he could leverage on the job and avoid a three-hour commute from Memphis every other weekend. He also imagined he would learn about colleagues from different cultures and countries. Somewhat to his surprise, he says, “I gained a lot more understanding of myself. I learned about how I work and how to listen more.”

But as he had hoped when he began, Jared’s perspective changed. “I no longer see that there is one path to success or one worldview that dominates,” he says. “I see the in-betweens more — eastern versus western, individual versus the whole, and how particularly the entire Americas play roles in our global economy. I see interdependencies and complexities without fear. It’s exciting to be at this point and be the new me.”

“I see interdependencies and complexities without fear. It’s exciting to be at this point and be the new me.”